Community News
Benld approves contracts for water tower cleaning, maintenance
The Benld City Council on Monday night approved several expenditures related to maintenance and repair of the city’s water storage tower, concurred with the Mayor’s appointment of a personnel/negotiating committee, and approved two business licenses. In the absence of Ald. Peyton Bernot, who proposed the idea, the council declined to act on a controversial measure that would reduce Police Department expenditures by reducing the number of hours devoted to patrols on a daily basis.
On a motion by Ald. Mickey Robinson, the council voted unanimously to enter into a 10-year contract with Maguire Iron, Inc., headquartered in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to inspect the city’s water tower and to clean the storage tower inside and out at an annual cost of $1,950.
“They’ll clean it one year and inspect it the next year,” said Mayor Jim Kelly. “This is the year for them to clean it.”
The council also voted unanimously to contract with Corrpro Co., a subsidiary of Aegion, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, Mo., at a cost of $800 to perform maintenance work on the tower, including changing bulbs in safety beacons on the tower to provide a visual warning to aircraft in the area.
In a related matter, the council approved the expenditure of $6,986 for repairs to a water pump used to pump water into the water storage tank, which is located north of the city park.
The council also voted to proceed with installing a six-inch water line on Cahokia Street from Central Avenue to Maple Street after learning the cost of the project is estimated at about $5,000, including engineering costs. Mayor Kelly said HMG Engineers based the estimate on the assumption the city will use city employees to perform the bulk of the work. Last month, council members approved spending $2,394.40 to buy materials for the project from Midwest Meter, Edinburg.
Kelly said one goal of the project is to ensure a supply of water for fire protection at the south end of Cahokia Street.
“Right now, the only hydrant out there is in Sawyerville and it doesn’t work,” Kelly said. Additionally, he said, the new water line will provide an opportunity for future development in the area and provide an opportunity for existing homeowners to tap onto the new line.
NEW PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
On motions by Ald. Teresa Tucker, seconded by Ald. Robinson, the council voted unanimously to ratify the Mayor’s appointment of Ald. Jim Tilashalski, Ald. Lance Cooper and City Clerk Terri Koyne to serve on separate committees for collective bargaining negotiations with unions representing city employees and administer the city’s response to union grievances filed by city employees. The committees will meet on an “as needed” basis.
Kelly also reported that a recently filed grievance had been resolved. The nature of the grievance was not discussed in open session.
NO VOTE ON REDUCING POLICE PATROLS
With no motion to consider the measure, the council declined to vote on a controversial measure that would have reduced the number of hours local police patrol in the city as a means of cutting Police Department expenditures. Ald. Bernot gave a detailed presentation about the idea last month but did not attend Monday night’s meeting, reportedly due to illness.
“If he was here, I’d be interested in having a vote on it,” Ald. Tilashalski said.
With Bernot absent, none of the other aldermen were willing to offer a motion to consider the measure. With no motion on the floor, the issue was tabled without further discussion.
On Tilashalski’s recommendation, the council also declined to vote on the purchase of a new backhoe to replace an aging machine the city currently owns. Mayor Kelly presented a price quote last month from Erb Equipment, Troy, for a John Deere backhoe at a cost of $100,000. The Erb quote reflected a bid for purchasing equipment by the state government, precluding the need for the city to seek independent bids. The cost of the machine would have been financed over five years with payments amounting to $1,599 per month.
The council originally tied, 3-3, last month to approve the purchase and Kelly broke the tie by voting “yes.” Tilashalski then took the unusual step of calling for a reconsideration of his motion, whereupon the council voted 4-2 to reject the purchase.
On Monday night, Kelly recommended tabling the measure, noting that such a purchase would require the city to amend it’s appropriations ordinance to earmark money for the purchase. In the meantime, Tilashalski said the committee is looking at proposals from three companies—Erb Equipment, Sievers Equipment and Caterpillar.
BUSINESS LICENSES
The council unanimously approved applications for two new business licenses.
Matt Olmsted plans to open a coffee shop in the building formerly occupied by the Benld Senior Nutrition Center located east of the Civic Center on Central Avenue, and Dustin Fletcher, a candidate for election to the city council, secured a license for his mechanical repair shop located adjacent to his home in the 600 block of North Seventh Street. Fletcher’s business is open by appointment only. It predates implementation of a local zoning ordinance regulating commercial businesses in residential areas.
FLOODING ISSUE
The council referred to the Street Department a complaint registered by Ann Lotter of Dorsey Street about flooding in the ditch and street in front of her home.
“The water doesn’t have anywhere to go,” she told the council. “It’s kind of a mess. I’m afraid someone is going to go across those railroad tracks and hit that ice. Who knows where they will go—my yard, the neighbors yard.”
During recent cold weather, the standing water has frozen, resulting in a sizable expanse of ice and posing a hazard to motorists.
Street Department Supervisor Jim Savant said the problem is related to the railroad raising the bed for existing railroad tracks by about three feet last year. He said he is aware of the issue and is looking at ways to improve drainage and eliminate the hazard.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
No action followed a 12-minute executive session convened with City Attorney Rick Verticchio to discuss litigation. The nature of the litigation and whether the city is a plaintiff or defendant was not disclosed.
In open session, Verticchio reported the court has given the city permission to abate a public nuisance at 406 South Main Street. Council members said it may be possible to use city employees to remove a dilapidated mobile home and other debris in lieu of advertising for a contractor to do the work.
POTENTIAL PUBLIC UTILITIES ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Tilashalski, Chair of the Ordinance Committee, reported that he is likely to propose an amendment to the ordinance governing the collection of delinquent water and sewer bills associated with rental properties. The current ordinance, he said, authorizes the city to shut off water service and pursue collection activity against the renter. If the renter does not pay the bill, the ordinance provides for the city to notify the property owner but it provides no mechanism for the city to pursue the property owner for the delinquent bill. He is proposing additional language to hold the property owner responsible for the bill in the event the renter fails to pay or moves away without paying.
Verticchio recommended a more extensive revision of the ordinance based on recent court decisions that allowed new buyers of properties to shirk responsibility for unpaid water bills unless the city takes the extra step of formally filing a lien against the property.
“Otherwise the new buyer gets to start from square one,” Verticchio said.
The issue was referred back to the committee and may be presented for a vote at a future meeting of the council.
ENTERPRISE ZONE
Tilashalski said he recently attended a meeting and presentation on the county’s pending application to renew the Macoupin County Enterprise Zone. The existing Enterprise Zone, a partnership involving Carlinville, Gillespie and Macoupin County, is about to expire after 20 years. For the new application, the county wants to expand the zone to include other Macoupin County communities, such as Benld, in part to suppress the average per capita income of residents within the Enterprise Zone and boost the odds of being approved for renewal.
He said a measure to join the Enterprise Zone will be placed on the agenda for a vote at a future meeting of the council.
“I still have a lot of questions,” Tilashalski said. He said he asked one of the presenters about whether or not a proposed new water line to bring water to Benld from Litchfield would be included in the Enterprise Zone. “Unless he changes his mind, his answer was affirmative, which means down the road that if something was built along that water line—a factory or whatever—would be eligible for some of these incentives.”
New businesses erected in the Enterprise Zone are eligible for property tax abatements and other incentives. One of the incentives allows the new business to waive paying sales tax on building materials purchased from vendors located in Macoupin County.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the council gave tentative approval to the Royal Family organization, Carlinville, to use the city park for a Kids Camp on May 31 or June 1, provided the group understands it will have to pay established rental fees for the use of the park. The group plans to host a “glow run” fundraiser on the Benld-Gillespie Bike Trail, followed by activities at the city park.
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Community News
Benld prepares to celebrate 72nd annual Italian American Days over Memorial Day weekend
A beloved community tradition returns this Memorial Day weekend as the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days brings three days of food, music, and family fun to Benld City Park from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24.
Hosted by the Italian Club of Benld, the long-running festival celebrates the area’s rich Italian heritage while welcoming visitors from across the region for a full slate of activities.
Festivalgoers can expect a wide variety of homemade Italian favorites served throughout the weekend, including salami and meatball sandwiches, tortellini soup, bagna cauda, and cannoli. A daily fish fry featuring cod and whiting will also be available, along with classic festival fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs, Italian beef, and carnival treats. Beer, wine, and soda will be available for purchase.
In addition to the food, the event will feature carnival rides provided by Conner Family Amusement, Inc., with unlimited ride sessions offered throughout the weekend. Bingo will be held nightly at 7:00 p.m., and festival-themed shirts will be available for purchase.
Live music and dancing will take center stage each evening. Friday night entertainment includes a performance by Flip the Frog from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m., with the park open from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m.
Saturday highlights include the Italian Club Car Show, with registration from 8:00 a.m. to noon and judging beginning at noon. The park opens at 11:00 a.m., and live music will feature Pat Jones in the afternoon followed by Borderline in the evening.
Sunday kicks off with the “Meatballs on the Run” 5K at 9:00 a.m., sponsored by the Gillespie Cross Country Boosters. You can sign-up to participate online here. The day continues with free spaghetti served from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., a bocce ball tournament beginning at noon, and a full lineup of live music throughout the day, including performances by Unbroken, Syner-Gee, and B&B Strings.
Connors Family Amusements will provide carnival armbands for $30. Armbands will be valid Friday (May 22) from 6:00 to 10 :00 p.m. and again on Saturday (May 23rd) and Sunday (May 24th) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m, Advanced armband sales will be available from May 4th through May 21st at the Frank Bertetti Public Library and Benld City Hall for $25. Debit and Credit Cards will NOT be accepted.
Organizers note that no outside beverages are permitted in the park or at club events.
With its mix of tradition, entertainment, and community spirit, the 72nd Annual Benld Italian-American Days promises to once again be a highlight of the summer season in Macoupin County. For more information and updates, follow the festival on Facebook at Benld Italian American Days.
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Gillespie will host a Community Blood Drive with ImpactLife, the provider of blood components for local hospitals. The blood drive will be from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Monday, May 11 at 900 Broadway, inside Gillespie Methodist Church Gym.
To donate, please contact Brenda Lowe at (217) 7101336 or visit www.bloodcenter.org and use code 60020 to locate the drive. Appointments are requested. You may also call ImpactLife at 800-747-5401 to schedule.
Potential donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission form available
through www.bloodcenter.org) and weigh more than 110 pounds. A photo I.D. is required to donate.
For questions about eligibility, please call ImpactLife at (800) 7475401. Donors who last gave blood on or before March 16, 2026, are eligible to give at this drive.
Blood donation is a safe, simple procedure that takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Individuals with diabetes or controlled high blood pressure may be accepted as eligible donors.
ImpactLife is a nonprofit community organization providing blood products and services to more than 100 hospitals and emergency medical service providers in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin, as well as researchers and resource sharing partners across the country.
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Members of the Community Unit School District 7 Board of Education on Wednesday night approved a package of four capital improvement projects totaling more than $160,000 in value. Work will start on the projects after the end of the current school year and is expected to be completed before the start of the 2026-27 academic year in August.
The board met on Wednesday night after Monday’s inclement weather forced the district to reschedule the board’s regular monthly meeting.
The board approved entering into a contract with Fisher Tracks, Boone, Iowa, to resurface the district’s all-weather track at a cost of $105,209. Supt. Shane Owsley told the board the district will use about $50,000 from an all-weather track activity fund, with the remainder to be paid with proceeds from an alternate revenue bond issue approved last year for capital improvements.
Great Western Abatement, Jerseyville, was retained to remove flooring containing asbestos from the choir room floor and middle school gymnasium school at a cost of $40,700. Great Western’s bid was the lowest of seven bids, ranging up to $65,000, submitted for the work. Additionally, the district is paying $8,900 to Reliable Environmental Services, Springfield, for engineering and design work associated with the asbestos removal.
All-purpose rubberized flooring material will be installed on the middle school gym floor by Dynamic Sports Construction, Leander, Texas, at a cost of $51,424.
For the first time in a number of years, the high school gymnasium floor will be sanded and refinished with new artwork. Blast Technologies, St. Louis, was hired to sand the 4,200-square-foot floor at a cost of $5,250. Designs Unlimited, Pinckneyville, will paint game lines and logos on the floor before sealing it with a clear stain at a cost not to exceed $18,738.
The board also accepted a bid of $33,890 from DeLaurent Construction, Wilsonville, to resurface the 118,700-square-foot parking lot at Benld Elementary School.
Though no action was taken, Board President Mark Hayes reported that the Building and Grounds Committee had directed Owsley to investigate the cost of replacing the CUSD 7 administrative building.
“This building is very much in need of replacement,” Hayes said. “It’s beyond its time.” During Monday’s torrential rainfall, Hayes said water came in through windows and water seeped in under the sill plate, bringing displaced nightcrawlers into the building. Staff members ran fans after the storm in an effort to dry out the interior.
According to Hayes, the school has been in contact with the local Baptist Church to investigate the possibility of acquiring the former Trinity Baptist Church for use as an administrative building. Church officials, however, have not yet made a decision about the fate of the former sanctuary after Gillespie’s two Baptist churches merged.
Owsley said the current administrative building comprises about 6,000 square feet. Current estimates are $400 per square foot for new construction which would translate into about $2.5 million to replace the administrative facility. The district might be able to shave some dollars off that estimate by reducing the size of the building.
“There’s a lot of unusable space in this building,” Owsley said, suggesting a more efficient floorpan could reduce cost. He also mentioned the possibility of a basement to provide storage space for outdated documents.
In addition to construction costs, Owsley noted, the district would be responsible for tearing down the existing building.
“I have no idea what’s in this building,” Owsley said, raising abatement concerns. “I’m guessing disposal of this building is going to be expensive.”
Hayes said Kevin Wills, the district’s bond issue advisor, will attend the June board meeting to discuss the possibility of refinancing some existing bonds to free up enough revenue to build a new administrative building. The administration currently is housed in a “temporary” structure that has served as the administration building for several decades.
MINE SUBSIDENCE STUDY
After several minutes of discussion, the board took no action in relation to entering into a contract with Marino Engineering and Associates to assess the district’s risk for incurring damage from a mine subsidence event. Owsley said existing maps show that portions of Gillespie Middle School are undermined. While the high school is not undermined, a major subsidence would likely damage the high school as well as the middle school. In recent months, more than one residential home on Elm Street near the school property has experienced damage from mine subsidence.
Marino’s $94,000 Phase I proposal would “determine the likelihood of something happening to one of our buildings,” Owsley said. The problem is that too much information could negatively impact the district’s ability to purchase subsidence insurance. “Information is great until it’s not.”
The district currently pays about $300,000 for mine subsidence insurance on the middle school, high school and vocational arts building. The school carries no subsidence insurance on BenGil Elementary because mine shafts under the building were grouted before the school was built.
“If we find out there’s not a major concern,” Owsley noted, it could reduce the district’s subsidence insurance costs.
On the other hand, if the study reveals a high risk of experiencing mine subsidence, the insurer could drop the district at the end of the current policy’s term. With only two companies in the country offering subsidence insurance, the district could end up with no insurance at all to cover damage from mine subsidence.
The only way to avoid that scenario would be to implement whatever options Marino might recommend to reduce risk. Those recommendations would likely include grouting (backfilling) mine shafts under the middle school. Grouting for the elementary school cost $4 million. To grout under the middle school would likely run as much as $6 million or more.
The only way the study would make sense, Owsley suggested, would be if the district was “comfortable making the corrections the study is going to make.”
Moreover, $94,000 would cover only a preliminary assessment.
“To get a full understanding of what’s going on underground, we’d be looking at a half million dollars,” said Owsley.
The issue was allowed to die when no board member moved to consider the contract.
COMMUNITY SOLAR PARTICIPATION
On a motion by Bill Carter, seconded by Weye Schmidt, the board voted unanimously to enter into a contract with Summit Ridge Solar to participate in a community solar project. Under terms of the 15-year contract, the district will realize a 13 percent savings on electrical power bills. The contract is automatically renewable for five years unless the district chooses to withdraw.
“Illinois provides a number of incentives for using solar,” Owsley said. “However, not everyone likes the look of having solar panels on their property. This will get us the benefits without putting up solar panels on our property.”
Summit Ridge’s proposal was the most lucrative of the proposals the district received. Other companies offered shorter terms with savings of five percent.
After 20 years, it’s likely the savings would drop to five percent. Owsley said he was told the district was better off going with the longer contract to get 13 percent in savings for as long as possible.
The school district was able to secure such favorable rates, according to Owsley is because there is an issue with solar fields storing the power they generate. “Our main usage time is during their maximum production time.”
DISTRICT FOCUS
During a District Focus segment, the board recognized sophomore Matrix Wright, whose art was the only entry from the United States included in the 2026 TOLI International Student Art Exhibition. The exhibition is a project of The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies in New York. The exhibit includes student art relating to themes associated with the Holocaust.
Wright’s work, entitled “An Immortal Continuum,” attempts to portray “the constant entrapment a Holocaust survivor might feel.”
Exhibition organizers received more than 250 entries from around the globe.
BUDGET PROCESS
On a motion by Peyton Bernot, seconded by Board President Hayes, board members voted unanimously to begin work on developing a district budget for fiscal 2027. Board members also approved a routine measure to permit expenditure of fiscal 2027 funds after July 1, pending approval of a new budget.
The school district’s fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30 but new budgets typically are approved two to four months after the start of the fiscal year.
The current fiscal year’s $19 million budget was approved in September last year.
PERSONNEL
Following a one-hour executive session to discuss personnel and other issues, the board voted unanimously to approve the request of long-time middle school English and language arts teacher Kim Henderson, effective at the end of the 2028-29 school year.
Board members also voted unanimously to hire Andrew Crook as a first-year, non-tenured high school English teacher for the 2026-27 school year, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check. A graduate of Gillespie High School, Crook earned his teaching certificate at Illinois College, Jacksonville and for the past two years, he taught English at North Mac High School.
In separate actions, the board made multiple assignments to staff the district’s summer school program. Those hired include: Jessica Kelly as a middle school teacher, Ashlee Gibbs as a high school math teacher, and Jennifer Brown and Rob Macias as high school drivers’ education instructors. Each of the positions are contingent upon adequate student enrollment to offer the classes. In addition to academic staff, the board hired Andy Hirstein as a summer school food service worker.
The board voted unanimously to accept the resignation of Foli Seferi as high school paraprofessional and as assisted football coach. Both resignations are effective immediately.
In other personnel action, the board appointed Cate Plovich as the BenGil Elementary School yearbook sponsor, and appointed Josh Ross as a volunteer assistant football coach, pending documentation of certification and a routine background check.
OTHER ACTION
In other action, the board:
• Approved a mens highs school soccer coop with the Carlinville School District, with the provision Carlinville will dissolve the agreement if it pushes its program into a higher competitive classification.
• Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Lewis and Clark Community College under which the college will recognize some high school courses as college level credits.
• Approved early graduation requests for an undisclosed number of students, provided all graduation requirements are met.
• Approved renewing the district’s membership in the Illinois Elementary Schools Association.
• Approved the final calendar for the 2025-26 school year pending no further emergency days. Barring the use of emergency days, Monday, May 18 will be the last day of student attendance, with graduation ceremonies set at 2 p.m., Sunday, May 17.
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